Chapter 27 - Iosif
The last couple of months had been filled with ups and downs. But once we settled our differences with the Aslanov family, things have been climbing steadily and have settled. I wouldn’t call us best friends, but for Clara’s sake, we kept it civil.
We have come to a peace agreement. Kolya kept his promise to leave us alone, which was nice. We could move on, and I have started building a life with Clara. I had been burning to ask her to marry me, but I wanted to wait until the baby was born.
However, I didn’t want to wait any longer. The last couple of months had felt like an eternity had passed us by. I have taken her to so many places, realized her dreams of traveling the world. But she can no longer fly as it is too close to the baby's birth.
I walked through the mansion, giving orders to the staff and the guards. I had to ensure everything kept running smoothly and stayed tight. Safety was my only priority when it came to Clara and the baby.
Business had been booming. Our alliance with the Morozov-Dubow families ended up being a solid thing. I headed upstairs to my office. Moving down the hallway, I heard Clara fussing in the nursery.
I approached slowly. Standing outside the door, I listened. She was mumbling to herself. I was curious to know what she was on about, so I peeked around the door. She had been very busy the last week scrubbing and cleaning, as well as repacking everything.
The walls were painted, the crib was in place, and there were shelves lined with books and bears. Boxes of toys and a ton of clothing. I swear the baby had more clothes than I had in my entire life. I felt Clara was overdoing it a little. But it made her happy, and that made me happy.
Clara had also taken up painting with me, which was something we could now do together.
It was nice to take her with me when I went to visit my friend, Lucas in Mexico.
We have gone twice now and plan to do another trip once our precious angel arrives.
We spent two or three days there at a time.
Sometimes, we just sat and watched the sunset.
Today, though, was going to be different. It was going to be a special day. I had been planning for weeks. I wanted to surprise her, but keeping it a secret took more control than I knew I had. It took time to get things in place.
Sitting down before my desk, I opened my emails. I wanted to get work out the way so I could spend time with Clara. But I felt my mood changing as I read the email Avgust had sent.
There was a meeting scheduled for this morning with a new client. The client had insisted I be there, or no deal would be made. Sighing heavily, I sat back and rubbed my eyes. I knew there were no other options. This client’s business could have a major impact on ours.
Getting up, I went to find Clara. This time, I pushed the nursery door open and walked in. She glanced at me over her shoulder.
“Hi, why the long face?” she asked. She knew me well by now.
“I’ve got to head out,” I replied. “Something came up. I didn’t want to go out today, but this has to be done.”
Clara got up from where she was refolding the baby's clothes. She rose to her toes and kissed my cheek. “It’s okay,” she said softly. “I understand. Sometimes there’s going to be things that need to get done.”
I pulled her into a tight hug and kissed her passionately. “Thank you for always understanding,” I whispered. She had been so calm and understanding, I didn’t know how she managed it. Just being in her presence seemed to keep me calm as well. “I won’t be long,” I added as I headed out.
Taking two of my guards, I went to the meeting spot. I didn’t want to take chances; it was a new client, after all. As the client asked for me and no one else, I had to be cautious. We stopped a block away from the corner café.
After sitting for a minute and scanning the area, I saw Avgust and two of his guards arriving. They took a table to the side. We were only two blocks from our new main warehouse. It wouldn't be an issue if the client needed to visit the premises.
We pulled closer to the café, and I got out. My guards followed. Avgust nodded at me as I came in. I sat down at the table before Avgust, and my guards each took a table to my sides.
I was glad we didn’t have to wait long. I had just ordered a cup of coffee when a convoy of cars came closer. They slowed and then stopped. An elderly man got out of the back and casually came walking towards me.
He sat down, smiled at me, and then spoke. “Finally, we meet.”
“Yes,” I replied, holding out my hand. “Here we are.”
“I’ve been waiting a long time to meet you,” the man added. His smile made me a tad uncomfortable, but I was sure it was just my urgency to get home chasing me.
Smiling back at him, I spoke in a softer tone. “Let’s get this done then.”
“You in a rush?” he questioned, raising his brows.
Grinning, I nodded lightly as my mind traveled home to Clara. “Unfortunately, I have something to get to. It’s been in the works for quite some time. There’s no way around it. So, please forgive me. It’s not that I want to rush you. But I will be grateful if we could settle our business quickly.”
The man lowered his head. There was silence for a moment. Then he looked at me, held his hand out to the side, and waved at his men. “Okay, then,” he huffed.
The car door opened, and another man got out. He was younger than his counterpart. He walked with a funky hop in his step as if he had some kind of injury on his leg. He came over and sat down with us.
He placed the briefcase he carried on the table, opened it, and retrieved an envelope. He slid it across the table. “This is what needs to be done. Succeed with this one, and we will have a long and bright future,” he said.
I placed my hand on it and watched as he got up and headed back to the car.
The elderly man nodded and also left. I sat staring at the envelope as they pulled out.
I’ve heard stories about these two. But meeting them felt surreal.
I’ve heard many stories about them. They were close contacts of the Morozov family.
Soon, we would also be growing the business.
I was brought out of my thoughts as Avgust spoke behind me. “So, brother, what’s the job?”
Looking up at him, I held up the envelope. “I don’t know, I haven’t opened it. Here, you can have it. I have somewhere to be,” I replied, rising from the table.
“You have?” Avgust inquired.
“Yes, brother, I have other things to do today,” I added before leaving and heading back home.
The last two days had been so hectic, I had barely had any time with Clara. In fact, I had barely seen her. I was excited to get home. I had something special planned. As I arrived home, I wondered if the guards had done what I asked.
Heading up, I found her on the bed reading. Just seeing her enhanced my mood. She placed the book down as I walked closer. She smiled as I sat down next to her. Raising her hand, she caressed my cheek. “Hi, there,” she said softly.
“Hello,” I replied, grinning.
She opened her mouth to speak, but I placed a finger on her lips and spoke first. “Something is waiting for you in the kitchen.”
Clara turned her head to the side. Her smile lit up the room. “Oh, baby, you know I don’t need gifts. You are all I need,” she whispered before leaning over and kissing me.
“You will want this one,” I said as I got up and headed for the bathroom.
“Are you coming with me?” I heard her calling from the room.
“Yes, I will be down shortly, you go so long,” I responded.
I heard her moving in the room, and then all was silent. Peeking out the door, I followed her slowly. I didn’t want her to know I was behind her. I waited for her to enter the kitchen before moving out to the garden.
After collecting an armful of flowers, I moved to the edge of the garden where the road into the flower field ended. It was getting dark. I saw a shadow at the door and knew this had to be her. Clara flipped the switch at the door as the instructions that I left on the table told her.
But, instead of the normal outside lights coming on, there was a trail of fairy lights that came on. There were lights between the flowers as well. Clara smiled broadly as she made her way through.
She walked slowly, studying the flowers, the path, and the area. “This is so amazing,” she breathed out as she stopped before me.
I handed her the bunch of flowers I was holding. She dipped her head into them, smiled, and spoke softly. “Thank you, but why all of this? I told you….”
Before she could remind me that she needed nothing but me, I interrupted. “You are worth much more than all the world to me. I would have done more if I could.”
Clara glanced around. “This is more than enough,” she replied, smiling.
“I know the road has been more than bumpy. I am so glad we got through it, though.”
She raised a hand, gently placed it on my chest as she spoke. “Me too. You are the most wonderful person I have ever met.”
Taking a deep breath, I lowered myself onto one knee, pulling out a little black box and opening it. Looking up into her shiny eyes, I spoke softly but clearly. “So, now I ask if you will do me the honor of becoming my wife? Will you, Clara, spend the rest of your days with me?”
Her hands instantly went up to cover her mouth. Tears streaked down her face as I felt a lump forming in my throat. She bobbed her head up and down so rapidly that I was afraid she was going to break her neck.
She held out her hand for me to slip the diamond ring onto her finger. It fitted perfectly. I rose and pulled her into my arms. She hugged me tightly as I whispered into her ear. “I love you, Printessa. I never want any distance between us again.”
Easing up, I looked into her eyes as I continued. “You, my love, can choose our honeymoon destination. Anywhere in the world you want to go.”
Clara kissed me deeply before replying. “Oh, we need to visit France, no, maybe Italy.” She rolled her eyes and then added. “But Paris is the romance capital of the world.”
“You have plenty of time to make up your mind,” I said, taking her hand. I led her to a small picnic setup that I had the guards place in the middle of the flower field. “Maybe we can do both,” I added as we sat down, and I poured the non-alcoholic champagne.
I loved the way she smiled at me. Clara seemed to be glowing. As we finished our glass of champagne, I spoke again. “You want to head in? Go to bed?”
Clara shook her head lightly as she replied. “I’m too excited to sleep. Maybe a movie and hot chocolate?”
“Sure thing,” I said, getting up. I held out my hand, and Clara took it. Embracing her, I led her inside to the living room. I lit the fireplace. Turning, I saw her sitting on one of the double couches. I headed to the kitchen and made some hot chocolate with marshmallows on top.
Returning, I found her sitting on the rug before the fireplace. “Isn’t the couch better?” I asked, bending down next to her. She shook her head softly as she took her cup. I sat down next to her. We watched the fire for a bit in silence, sipping our hot chocolate.
Clara spoke as she lay her head on my shoulder. “I love you so much.”
Turning my head an inch, I kissed her forehead. “I love you more,” I uttered.
Clara turned her head up. Our lips met with passion. Her kisses were filled with warmth and softness. Placing my hand behind her neck, I lightly bent it back to kiss her neck. Moving back to her mouth, she allowed my tongue to explore.
I quickly removed her clothing before taking off mine. I pulled her up onto her knees as I stood on mine before her. “You are an amazing woman,” I breathed out as my hands explored her body.
I felt her gripping my hose and giving it some quick strokes. I was instantly hard. Kissing her neck, I whispered. “Turn around.”
Clara smiled at me and did as I asked. Pushing down softly on her upper back, she bent forward, resting her arms on the coffee table before her. As she did this, she bent her back in, pushing out her ass. Glancing at me over her shoulder, she smiled as she licked her lips.
Shaking my head lightly, I moved closer. I held my hose and jiggled it up and down her flower garden before sliding it into her. Clara lifted her head and moaned loudly. I started moving slowly. I wanted it to last forever.
She moaned louder and louder as I moved. Leaning forward, I cupped her breasts and squeezed softly. Clara bent her upper body to the side to look me in the eyes. “I love you,” she whispered.
She moved her one hand up and down my chest and abs, sending chills up my spine. Gripping her hips, I pushed hard a couple of times. Clara closed her eyes as her moans filled the room.
Using my one hand, I reached down and caressed her point until she was shaking and screaming with delight. I felt her flower closing around my hose. I shoved into her a couple of times, fast and hard. I felt her come as I also released.
Clara moved back and lay down on the rug, staring at me. Bending down, I kissed her hard. Moving to the side, I grabbed the pillows from the couch and placed them on the floor before the fireplace.
Clara lay down as I pulled a blanket from the other couch to cover us. Lying down beside her, I wrapped my arms around her middle, holding tightly. “You are my forever home,” I whispered as I drifted off.
*****
THE END